Fears grow for future of 170 jobs at Cork call centre

Fears are growing tonight(thurs) for the future of 170 jobs in a call centre operation in Cork after staff at the centre were summoned to a meeting with management this evening (thurs).

Management at Assurant Solutions told staff it was conducting a review of its Irish operations which could lead to the closure of its facility on the Model Farm Road in Cork city.

Assurant Solutions later issued a statement in which it explained that the review follows its acquisition in October of the Lifestyle Services Group in the UK.

“As part of this review, Assurant Solutions is proposing to consolidate its European headquarters, management team, customer care and support functions in Crewe, UK.

“Assurant Solutions is now entering into consultation with associates who are affected by the proposal. It is possible that this proposal could result in the closure of the Cork operation.”

The company, which came to Cork in 1999, handles insurance claims for mobile phones and extended warrantees and was headquartered in Windsor where 70 people were employed.

Chris Harrison, president and chief executive designate of Assurant Solutions Europe said in the statement that the company was focussed on providing a first class service to its customers.

“We operate in a dynamic and competitive marketplace and so it is important that we remain an efficient and agile organisation to compete effectively.

" We are conducting this strategic review to realise the benefits of the acquisition of Lifestyle Services Group and create an organisational structure designed to serve our customers in a more effective and sustainable manner.

“Our priority is to ensure that our associates affected by our proposal are treated with dignity and respect throughout the process.”